Digital clock seconds indicator

ABSTRACT

A digital clock having a plurality of drums showing the hours and the minutes, a motor for driving the drums periodically in digital advancements, a coil spring acting as a powertransmitting means for periodically controlling the motor and thereby the movement of the drums, but constantly operating and in doing so moving a seconds indicator.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Emil J. Niznilt [56] References Cited In] A I N g gg UNITED STATES PATENTS PP v Filed Feb. 2.1970 3,492,806 2/1970 Walton 58/40 [45 1 Patented July 6, 1971 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson [73] Assignee The Bunker-Ramo Corporation Assistant Examiner-Edith C. Simmons Oak Brook, [1]. Attorney-Frederick M. Arbuckle [54] DIGITAL CLOCK SECONDS-INDICATOR 6 Chins 5 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: A digital clock having a plurality of drums show- [52] U.S. Cl. 58/23, ing the hours and the minutes, a motor for driving the drums 58/125 periodically in digital advancements, a coil spring acting as a [5i Int. Cl; G04c 19/00 power-transmitting means for periodically controlling the [50] Field 0| Search 318/160, motor and thereby the movement of the drums, but constantly 443, 445', 58/2, 23, 24, 33, 28 operating and in doing so moving a seconds indicator.

SHEET 2 OF 3 WWI/(4% viewed from the top,

DIGITAL CLOCK SECONDS INDICATOR CROSS REFERENCES Applications of the same inventor both filed of even date herewith: 1

Ser. No. 7,469, Indexing Drums for Digital Clock;

Ser. No. 7,471, Digital Clock.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A broad object of the invention is to provide a digital clock having hour and minute time-indicating drums that are ad- 'indicator drums, and power-transmitting means energized by the drive means and controlled by escapement means and operative for controlling the drive means, but also incorporating a seconds indicator which is effectively continuously operating.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view of the clock mechanism of the invention as showing the housing in and the interior members principally in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing most of the internal parts of the clock and oriented substantially according to line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially at line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially at line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top view oriented according to line 5-5 in FIG. 3 and line 5-5 of the FIG. 4.

The present invention is closely related tothose disclosed in the above identified cross-referenced applications. The clock construction is the same or similar in the three applications and certain of the details of the construction are disclosed in two or all of them, and additionally, the same reference numerals are applied to the common elements uniformly in the three applications.

The present invention is directed toward the novel feature of a seconds indicator that is continuously moving or progressing in conjunction with a digital minute-indicating apparatus, i.e., the seconds are indicated continuously while the minutes are indicated digitally, thatis, an abrupt advancement is made each minute.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings attention is directed first to FIG. I which shows a crystal through which the time is viewed. The clock is mounted such as in an automobile. Attached to the crystal is a housing 12 substantially enclosing the operating parts of the clock and mounting an illuminating lamp 14. Within the housing 12 is a support panel 16 anchored in place with the enclosing housing 12 with the crystal 10 by a suitable means indicated generally at I8.

Mounted in the panel 16 are a plurality of posts 20 supporting a pair of spaced plates 22, 24 and mounted in the latter plate 24 are another plurality of posts 26 supporting a mounting plate 28.

Mounted on the mounting plate is an electric motor 30 preferably of DC character in keeping with automobiles apthereon in mesh with another gear 54 on a shaft 56 having a worm 57 in mesh with a gear 58. The gear 58 is mounted on shaft means 59 operatively connected with a digital time-indicating unit 60. This unit 60 need not be described in detail herein but may and preferably is of the character disclosed in my copending application referred to above Ser. No. 7,469. Briefly the indicating unit 60 includes a minute drum 61, a 10- minute drum 62 and an hour drum 63, advanced periodically (each minute), the first advancing the second and the second advancing the third, in a generally known manner, by the motor through the gear train identified above. The drums are provided with time indicia 64 exposed through the window 65.

The motor 30 also is operative for driving a power-transmitting or driving unit 66 the details of which are described hereinbelow. This unit 66 includes a gear 68 in mesh with the gear 52 identified above and upon operation of the motor the gear 68 is driven, actuating the unit 66.

Associated with'the unit 66 is an escapement means 70 of suitable and known kind including a shaft 72 which extends into and becomes a part of the unit 66.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 3-5 showing the unit 66 and including the shaft 72 and the gear 68. Upon operationcf the motor 30 at each interval referred to above, the gear 68 is rotated one complete revolution, the various gears in the gear train being dimensioned and proportioned to accomplish that purpose. The gear 68 is fixedly mounted on a sleeve member 74 relatively rotatably mounted on the shaft 72. The sleeve member 74 includes a hub portion 76 directly receiving the gear and also receiving a tripping mechanism or release 78 to be described in detail hereinbelow. The sleeve member 74 includes an elongated sleeve element 80 on which is a torsion coil spring, or main spring, 82 having radial end elements 84, 86 reactingly engaging elements of the unit 78 as referred to again hereinbelow.

The unit 78 is utilized in controlling the operation of the drive motor 30 in periodic advancements, and for this purpose is directly associated with a lever 88 shown best in FIG. 3. This lever is preferably L-shaped, having a first arm 90 and a second arm 92 the former-having a contact 94 cooperable with another contact 95 mounted on a fixed member 96 these contacts being connected with the conductors 32 (FIG. 1) of the motor. The long arm 92 extends into the projection of the gear 68, tangent to a base circle concentric therewith and in position for tripping by the unit 78 as indicated above. The lever 88 is biased in clockwise direction (FIG. 3) by a tension spring 97 toward active position in which the contacts 94, 95 are in engagement.

The unit 78 includes a contact platform or mounting member 98 (FIG. 4) which has a mounting element 100 in the form of a plate directly and fixedly secured to the hub element 76 in fixed relation for rotation therewith. The mounting member 98 at one side includes an axially extending tab 102 engaged by the radial terminal element 84 of the spring 82. The mounting member at the other side includes an axially extending element 104 preferably in the form of a plate having a radially extending terminal tab 106. Fixed in the element 104 is a stud or pin I08 having a head I10 and surrounding the pin is a coil torsion spring I12 having radial end elements 114 and 1 16. The end element 114 engages the tab 106 while the other end element 116 is provided reaction as explained hereinbelow. The pin is positioned on an axis transverse to the axis of thespring 82.

Pivoted on the pin 108 and mounted on the element 104 is a knockoff arm 118 including an out turned radial tab 120 engageable by the end element 116 of the coil spring 112. The knockoff arm I18 also includes an intumed radial tab l22. The knockoff arm 118 includes an operating finger 124 directly engageable with the contact arm 92 for actuating the latter in a manner more specifically described hereinbelow. The spring 112 biases the knockoff arm 118 (clockwise) toward an advanced position as shown in full lines in FIG. 5, and upon release of the finger it is moved against the spring which thereby yields.

The shaft 72- extends beyond the member '74 and fixedly secured on the extended end thereof is a seconds indicator 126 which may be in the form of a disc as represented, or any other desired form and mounted on this element 126 and carried therewith is a control element 128 having an axially extending knockoff tab 130 engageable with the tab 122 as described below in the operation of the apparatus. The end element 86 of the spring is secured to the disc.

If desired, the clock mechanism may be provided with a manual-setting device indicated at 132 (FIG. 1) which includes a shank 134 having a knob 136 and a pinion 137 adapted for meshing with a gear 140 on the shank 134 means 59.-The shaft is biased to inactive position (F K]. 1), by a compression spring 142, in which the pinion 137 is out of mesh with the gear 140 and is manually movable into active position in which that pinion is in mesh with that gear, this specific device being known.

GENERAL OPERATION ln the operation of the clock mechanism a starting position may be assumed as represented in the drawings in which the contacts 94, 95 (FIG. 3) are open and the motor 30 is stationary. Also the gear 68 is stationary and consequently the sleeve member 74 is also stationary. The coil torsion spring 82 is tensioned at all times, and is held stationary at one end through the terminal element .84, and the other end through the terminal element 86 tends to rotate the disc or seconds indicator 126, and does so as controlled by the escapement mechanism 70, and the timing control is such that the indicator disc 126 makes one revolution per minute.

In the position of the apparatus as shown in the drawings, the finger 124 (FIGS. 3-5) is under the lever arm 92 holding it in raised position shown in PK]. 3 in which the contacts 94, 95 are separated. in such position, the motor is stationary and the unit 78 remains stationary, but the seconds indicator member 126 is being constantly advanced by the spring 82. Upon advancement of the latter member, as throughout a full revolution, the knockoff tab 130 encounters the tab 122 and swings the knockoff platform 118 in corresponding direction, which is counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 5. Upon this happening, the finger 124 is withdrawn from under the arm 92 to the dot-dash line position 124a represented in FIG. 5, allowing the arm 92 to drop, or be moved in clockwise direction under the action of the spring 97 (FIG. 3) so that the contacts 9 3, 95 engage, starting the motor 30. In this action the finger, while moving in an arcuate path, has a large component of movement in direction transverse to the length of the arm 92. The motor upon closure of the contacts, begins to operate and .through the train of gears described above, rotates the gear 68, and as best indicated in E10. 4, carries the unit 78 around substantially a full revolution to a position in which the finger 124 again engages under the arm 92 and raises it or moves it to the open position represented in F IG. 3, opening the contacts 94, 95 and the motor is brought to a stop. The motor while running, in addition to rotating the gear 68, advances the A digital indicating unit 60 a corresponding amount through the described train of gears to that unit. The unit is advanced an incremental amount which in the present instance is a one minute increment, and the motor does not run again until after substantially a full minute. The operation of the motor requires a very small interval of time such for example as 3 --4 seconds.

In the advancing operation of the motor 30, the gear 68 upon being correspondingly advanced, tensions the coil torsion spring 82 through the radial terminal element 84 of the spring, this tension being transmitted through the spring and through the other terminal element 86 to the seconds indicator 126. The spring 82 is constantly tensioned, as noted being retensioned every minute by rotation of the unit 78 and this tension is propagated through the spring and exerted on the indicator element 126, the amount of tension being generated at each revolution being dissipated in that direction to the indicator element. The spring 82 is pretensioned in the construction and assembly of the device to the desired amount, and it is of such preselected operational characteristics that its range of operation is such as to provide the great latitude beyond the quantity of tensionin'g at each revolution of the unit 78, or in other words the tension of the spring is confined within such limits as to advance the seconds indicator a minute increment without retensioning.

FIG. 5 indicates the great range of movement of the finger 124 in its operation of engaging and raising the arm 92. For example position 12% indicates the position in which it is just moving under the arm for raising it to its open position. The finger may advance a certain amount such as for example to the position 1240 by the time the motor stops, but a great latitude is provided that even if the finger should progress to the position 124d it will still be operative for holding the contact arm in open position. Thus there is great assurance against over travel and under travel of the unit 78 because of the wide latitude of possible movement of the finger 124 while still being effective, this movementbeing for example in the neighborhood of 3045 of angular movement. This amount is of course not critical, and the effective angular range may be very wide.

The leading edge of the finger 124 is preferably curved, providing a smooth mechanical action with a minimum of friction in releasing that finger from under the arm 92, this curvature providing effective clearance of the finger from the arm upon swinging of the member 118 in the releasing action. This member is thrown to the dot-dash line position 124a of FIG. 5 by the knockoif tab as described above. The element 118 has quite an angular throw as shown, and regardless of a relatively advanced position of the finger 124 relative to the arm 92, it is readily thrown clear of the arm, enabling the latter to lower or move to closed contact position.

Summarizing the action, the unit 78 is rotated one full rotation each minute, this rotation requiring for example 3-4 seconds, and it remains stationary between those advancements. The seconds indicator 126 rotates constantly under the action of the torsion spring 82 and as it reaches a predeten mined position in that rotation it actuates the tripping mechanism 78 and the latter then is rotated again, but without interference, with the continuous rotation of the seconds indicator member 126. The arm 118 is provided substantial yielding ability so as to enable considerable extent of advancement of the indicator member 126 to enable the motor 30 to commence operation and continue forward ahead of the effectiveness of the member 126, that unit proceeding at a much faster rate and continuing one rotation'as indicated above, and the member 126 progressing in its same continuous pattern.

Referring now again to the seconds indicator 126 (FIGS. 3-5), it may include the movable disc as above described and a fixed pointer 132, or a reverse arrangement. The disc 126 rotates effectively continuously in contrast with the digital movement of the various members of the unit 60.

It is further believed that the provision of a constantly moving power-transmitting mechanism in the form of the coil spring 82 which effects the movement of the seconds indicator 126 is novel over previously known clocks. While the driving means advances the digital indicating unit 60 at each minute, it tensions the coil spring 82 so that it provides additional power for advancing the seconds indicator member 126 at each turn or rotation of the unit 76, whereby the potential stored in the spring is not lost through a complete interval of one minute,

Iclaim: i

1. Clock mechanism comprising hour-minute indicating means advanceable at discrete intervals, a motor for driving the hour-minute indicating means, control means for controlling the motor and the drive thereof at intervals, said control means including an effectively continuously moving power member energized by the motor, means actuated by the power member for intermittently energizing the motor and thereby driving the hour-minute indicating means, and a seconds indicator driven by the powermember in its said effectivecontinuous-movement.

2 Clock mechanism according to claim 1 and including time escapement mechanism for predetermining the rate and extent of movement thereof.

3. ,Clock mechanism according to claim 2 in which the seconds indicator is a rotatable member and the power member is a coil spring having one end operatively connected with the motor and the other end operatively connected with the seconds indicator.

4. Clock mechanism according to claim 3 and including a gear train between. the motor and the hour-minute indicating means, and between the motor and the power member, and further including means controlled by the seconds indicator thereof for energizing the motor as stated, once in each minute interval.

5. Clock mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the coil spring is constantly tensioned, and the construction further includes means for confining the tension of the coil spring within the limits necessary for advancing the seconds indicator one full minute increment.

6. Clock mechanism comprising hour-minute indicating means, "an electric motor, drive-transmitting means operatively interposed between the motor and the hour-minute indicating means, contacts for energizing the motor, a control means for opening the contacts and thereby stopping the motor, said control unit having a stationary position in which it holds the contacts open, a continuously operating seconds indicator, a self-contained unit for advancing the seconds indicator, means operatively interconnecting the motor and self-contained unit for energizing the latter, and means controlled by the seconds indicator for controlling the control unit the control unit having a yieldable component actuated by the seconds indicator for thereby releasing the control unit and again energizing the motor without impeding the continuous motion of the seconds indicator. 

1. Clock mechanism comprising hour-minute indicating means advanceable at discrete intervals, a motor for driving the hourminute indicating means, control means for controlling the motor and the drive thereof at intervals, said control means including an effectively continuously moving power member energized by the motor, means actuated by the power member for intermittently energizing the motor and thereby driving the hour-minute indicating means, and a seconds indicator driven by the power member in its said effective continuous movement.
 2. Clock mechanism according to claim 1 and including time escapement mechanism for predetermining the rate and extent of movement thereof.
 3. Clock mechanism according to claim 2 in which the seconds indicator is a rotatable member and the power member is a coil spring having one end operatively connected with the motor and the other end operatively connected with the seconds indicator.
 4. Clock mechanism according to claim 3 and including a gear train between the motor and the hour-minute indicating means, and between the motor and the power member, and further including means controlled by the seconds indicator thereof for energizing the motor as stated, once in each minute interval.
 5. Clock mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the coil spring is constantly tensioned, and the construction further includes means for confining the tension of the coil spring within the limits necessary for advancing the seconds indicator one full minute increment.
 6. Clock mechanism comprising hour-minute indicating means, an electric motor, drive-transmitting means operatively interposed between the motor and the hour-minute indicating means, contacts for energizing the motor, a control means for opening the contacts and thereby stopping the motor, said control unit having a stationary position in which it holds the contacts open, a continuously operating seconds indicator, a self-contained unit for advancing the seconds indicator, means operatively interconnecting the motor and self-contained unit for energizing the latter, and means controlled by the seconds indicator for controlling the control unit, the control unit having a yieldable component actuated by the seconds indicator for thereby releasing the control unit and again energizing the motor without impeding the continuous motion of the seconds indicator. 